Nina & Alex - Romanian-Indian Wedding in Calgary

 Nina to Alex: " I still remember the first day we met. When we shook hands, I had butterflies in my stomach and I didn't understand why. Only my coworkers know how excited and how much I looked forward to seeing you every morning at work. Those butterflies then led us to our first coffee date, which led to you waiting for me every morning with a coffee in your hand, in the parking lot. Three years later it led us to my wonderful Kinder surprise. And now, four years later, here we are married. There are so many things that lead to this moment here today, but a key factor is your love and your laughter. There isn't a person in this world that makes me as happy as you do. You mean the world to me and I'm so excited to go on this new journey together."

 I could say that Alex is the first Romanian I've ever seen with a pagh:

 But that wouldn't be entirely true, because this guy, sporting a Punjabi outfit, is me, no less than 12 years ago:

 Anyway, that's an old story. True but old.
Back to today's celebrations. Nina is almost ready to change her life for good:

 We gather once again at the Sikh Society of Calgary gurdwara:

 The milni is over before one could say 'small Romanian family'.

 After we fill up on samosas, we proceed inside:

 Nina is given to Alex by her uncle:

 The happy newlyweds are showered with rose petals on their way out:

 And they take the limo:

 Alex is full of picture ideas. He's unstoppable! I'm just glad he didn't get hurt during the photo shoot:

 Alex: "There once was a beautiful Indian princess who dreamt of meeting her prince to have a fairytale wedding. But good Indian girls don't date Romanians, so I was Nina's best kept secret. Few years past ... gave her a ring ... she said 'I DO'. And after tears of joy and laughter, 'Bella & Monkey' are dancing bhangra and live happily ever after."

 And now, for the Romanian portion of the wedding, we stop for lunch at Maria Bistro:

 This is how we eat schnitzel in Romania. Only on the wedding day. And only if the groom is wearing a turban:

 The doli is about to start and the bride's sisters are welcoming the groom:

 He brings cash. Cold, hard cash:

 That's not enough, so he impresses everybody with his bhangra moves:

 He even has some secret weapons up his sherwani's sleeves:

At the end he still has to pay his way in:

Before he can take his wife away,

Interesting:

By casting rice over her family upon departing, Nina leaves her maternal home in prosperity:

She's welcomed at her husband's house:

Where she brings prosperity, as well:

The 5th and last day of festivities comes with new makeup:

And new dress:

The Radisson Hotel has spectacular lighting:

You know Alex by now; he's always ready to play:

Nina doesn't get bored, either:

Photoshoots are fun, but we have to go to the party:

Nina's speech brings some tears:

Alex's speech brings lots of laughter ... because it's half in Punjabi.

After a few first dances, the floor is taken over:

A night of colourful bhangra ensues:

 Casa de piatra, Nina and Alex! That's Romanian for 'all the best wishes and lots of happiness'

love.more.cosmin

Vendors 'n' Things:

Anand Karaj (Sikh Wedding Ceremony) - Sikh Society of Calgary
Reception Venue - Magnolia Banquet Hall
Takha (Sikh Engagement Ceremony) Venue - Polish Cultural Centre
Makeup - Kesar Designs
Decor - Jas Tent Rentals
Mehndi - Gulshan Khan
Video - Style Video Productions
Second Shooter - Bogdan Spineanu
Alex's Vampire Fangs - Photoshop
Photoshop - Bogdan Spineanu
Photography Assistant - Ella Anderson
Calgary Sikh Marriage Photographer - Romanian-Punjabi Wedding Photographer

You like? You want? Give me a shout: cosmindanilaphoto@gmail.com